Child marriage drops, but half of Bangladeshi girls still wed before 18: Survey

Although child marriage has slightly declined in Bangladesh, nearly half of girls are still married before turning 18, according to the preliminary findings of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2025 (MICS 2025).

The survey, unveiled today (16 November) by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) at a national dissemination event in Dhaka, shows the rate of child marriage before 18 fell from 51.4% in 2019 to 47% in 2025. Marriages before age 15 also declined, from 15.5% to 13.4%.

MICS 2025 provides critical evidence for policymakers, development partners, and civil society, highlighting urgent challenges in child protection, maternal health, nutrition, education, and environmental hazards.

The survey reveals a sharp rise in child labour, affecting 9.2% of children aged 5-17 years, putting around 1.2 million more children at risk compared with 2019. Nutrition indicators show worsening trends, with child wasting rising from 9.8% to 12.9% and maternal anaemia persisting at 52.8%.

Caesarean deliveries are also on the rise. More than half of urban women (56%) and half of rural women (50%) now deliver via caesarean section, with higher rates among wealthier and more educated groups. 

While skilled attendance at birth has increased to 77% and institutional deliveries to 71%, early initiation of breastfeeding has dropped to 30%.

For the first time, MICS 2025 tested blood lead levels, revealing that 38% of children aged 12-59 months and nearly 8% of pregnant women have elevated lead levels, posing serious risks to brain development and long-term health.

Rana Flowers, Unicef representative to Bangladesh, said, "While declines in child marriage and child mortality show what's possible, crises like lead poisoning and child labour are depriving millions of children of their potential. Rising caesarean rates also threaten women's health." 

She added that respecting every child's right to survive, thrive, and learn is key to an economically stronger Bangladesh.

Covering nearly 63,000 households nationwide, the seventh round of MICS, conducted with unicef's technical and financial support, offers detailed insights into the health, nutrition, education, protection, and overall well-being of women and children.

During a panel discussion at the event, Maheen Sultan, senior fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Development, warned that rising caesarean rates signal unnecessary medicalisation of childbirth, increasing health risks and financial pressure on families. 

She also noted that early pregnancies remain high despite declines in child marriage, pointing to weaknesses in family planning and reproductive health education.

Other indicators

Other indicators paint a mixed picture. The adolescent birth rate rose from 83 to 92 per 1,000 girls, highlighting the need for improved maternal and child nutrition, breastfeeding promotion, and expanded health services. 

Child protection remains a concern, with 86% of children recently subjected to violent discipline.

Mortality rates have improved gradually. The under-five mortality rate fell to 33 per 1,000 live births in the five years preceding the survey, while infant and neonatal mortality rates are 29 and 22 per 1,000 live births, respectively.

Education outcomes remain uneven. While school attendance is 84% in primary and nearly 60% in lower secondary, only half of children aged 7-14 can complete foundational reading tasks, and fewer than 40% can complete basic numeracy tasks. Poorer children are disproportionately affected.

Access to improved drinking water and sanitation is high, at 99% and 92% respectively, but microbial contamination remains a critical concern. Over 80% of household water samples tested positive for E. coli. 

Handwashing facilities with water and soap are available in only 69% of households, highlighting gaps in hygiene, particularly in rural areas.

Dr Md Sarwar Bari, former secretary of the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division, warned that momentum in family planning has slowed since the 1980s and 1990s. 

"Although the total fertility rate has been declining, we now see an upward trend. Prioritising family planning is essential," he said.

Khairul Islam, Regional Director of WaterAid South Asia, highlighted persistent urban-rural disparities in water services. "City dwellers often get modern piped water and WASH facilities, while rural populations rely on low-standard solutions like tubewells or ponds. Data also show that 85% of water collection duties fall on women and girls, revealing both technical and gendered inequalities," he said.

The MICS 2025 findings present a clear call for urgent policy interventions to safeguard the health, rights, and development of children and women across Bangladesh.